FCA Proposes a Merger with Renault

China is by far the biggest market for BMW, Mercedes and VW Group.
China accounts for over 25% of BMW sales compared to just over 14% for the US and 12% for Germany.
Similar percentages for Mercedes and VW Group.

FishOnOne wrote:


The Chinese will eventually purchase only Chinese brand vehicles.

Trust me!

Don't tell that to the super wealthy chinese that drive a lot of exotic European vehicles. I do not think they would buy a fake knock off Corvette or Ferrari.

FishOnOne wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

DakotaDad wrote:
Well, just to make sure NOBODY is happy...

GM Merger With Ford Looks More Likely

The article is pretty light on anything other than rank speculation, though.

GM already tried a business merger with Toyota and Isuzu and it didn't work.

Remember Geo...

I think they may have to merge. They both are rapidly becoming regional rather then Global entities. GM is highly exposed to the Chinese market and these days it would not be a good thing

The Chinese will eventually purchase only Chinese brand vehicles.

Trust me!

I agree and I wonder if GM is wise to put so much dependence on what is admittedly a very lucrative market with significant numbers of GM vehicles sold to China...now.

I think once China gets their automotive manufacturers to where they want...GM may find their sales numbers dropping sharply there, and then have some regrets about their lack of focus, IMO, on their core market... North America. I think is in some ways..by doing this giving some of their market share in NA, to other manufacturers.


Marketing/Sales types say it's hard to get a customer, but easy to lose one.

philh wrote:

Reisender wrote:
Companies like Tesla make more EV’s in the first hour of a shift as Ford does in a month.

I must have missed a memo, how much money did Ford make last year?

I know nothing about Tesla finances. Just sayin that if ford doesn’t start producing EV’s pretty soon there market will start to shrink pretty quick over the next 20 years.

RobertRyan wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

DakotaDad wrote:
Well, just to make sure NOBODY is happy...

GM Merger With Ford Looks More Likely

The article is pretty light on anything other than rank speculation, though.

GM already tried a business merger with Toyota and Isuzu and it didn't work.

Remember Geo...

I think they may have to merge. They both are rapidly becoming regional rather then Global entities. GM is highly exposed to the Chinese market and these days it would not be a good thing

The Chinese will eventually purchase only Chinese brand vehicles.

Trust me!

Reisender wrote:
Companies like Tesla make more EV’s in the first hour of a shift as Ford does in a month.

I must have missed a memo, how much money did Ford make last year?

Certain markets are shrinking as well due to legislation. On the 29 of may it became law in BC that 100 percent of vehicles sold in BC after Jan 1st 2040 have to be zero emission. Rare in North America but already happening in Europe. I would think you’ll see Quebec pass a similar law in the next 2 years and with possibly a more aggresive time table. BC is already at 7 percent. Not sure about Quebec. California is over 5. Norway is over 50. Companies like ford need to find partners with EV know how to stay relevant. Companies like Tesla make more EV’s in the first hour of a shift as Ford does in a month.

FishOnOne wrote:

DakotaDad wrote:
Well, just to make sure NOBODY is happy...

GM Merger With Ford Looks More Likely

The article is pretty light on anything other than rank speculation, though.

GM already tried a business merger with Toyota and Isuzu and it didn't work.

Remember Geo...

I think they may have to merge. They both are rapidly becoming regional rather then Global entities. GM is highly exposed to the Chinese market and these days it would not be a good thing

B.O. Plenty wrote:

westernrvparkowner wrote:
Hopefully a merger would mean a return of Renault to the US market. A LeCar or a Fuego makes a great gift to give to your enemies. Not a better paperweight anywhere.

AMEN! They can combine all their junk with the other ones junk. This will be a boon for the scrap metal industry.

B.O.

Unfortunately these mergers will make Ford and GM likely for takeover bids

wilber1 wrote:

Lessmore wrote:

wilber1 wrote:

Lessmore wrote:
Wilber1,

I didn't know that the Jeep Cherokee, Compass and Renegade are based of Fiat platforms as are their four cylinder engines.

A family member bought a new 2014 Jeep Patriot Trail Rated(similar to Compass, but different body) with the 2.4 liter engine which was used by Chrysler, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai. I wasn't aware of the Fiat connection to the engine.

The engine was ok, but underpowered for the weight of the vehicle. He did have lots of issues with many other components of this car, particularity the transmission (CVT) and suspension, so much so that he traded it in on a new Nissan Pro4 X Frontier pickup, 4 liter V6, which touch wood, has had not one issue since purchase a couple of years ago.

Les

The Patriot was discontinued in 2017. It has been replace with the second generation Compass. The CVT is gone. The current 2.4 Tigershark is a Chrysler Fiat co designed engine as is the 2.O Turbo. It also depends on the country. European Compass and Renegade also use 1.4L and 1.6L turbos and 2.0L diesels from Fiat.

He had the CVT transmission...boy was that a huge ongoing issue...and we found out afterwards a known issue for Chrysler.
Thx for the info on the new FCA engines. Wonder how reliable they are.

We tend to look at these things from a strictly North American point of view. These companies are looking at world markets.

Best reply yet. These mergers or alliances are for Global markets., Globally 100 million vehicles are built annually